Photo: Courtesy West Plains Daily Quill
A West Plains man, who reportedly was released from custody Wednesday, was returned to jail on Thursday.The West Plains Daily Quill is reporting police apprehended the suspect in connection with two downtown break-ins, including a bank, occurring in the early morning hours on Thursday.Police say 45-year-old John Ray Roberts had been released from the Howell County jail less than 12 hours earlier than his arrest for the latest crimes.Roberts was listed on this week’s Howell County’s Most Wanted and sought on charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree property damage, stealing $750 or more and attempted second-degree burglary. Court records show a warrant was issued April 9, and that he was arrested Wednesday and released on $5,000 bail.
Officers were dispatched at about 6:53 a.m. Thursday to the West Plains Bank and Trust branch along Broadway, and Roberts was taken into custody about 20 minutes later, police report.
Investigators were working the first case when officers were dispatched to a report of a second burglary at First Christian Church, along Main Street. Roberts reportedly implicated himself in both crimes.
The suspect allegedly entered the bank branch after breaking the glass in the front door. In the church break-in, Roberts reportedly discharged a fire extinguisher while he was in the building.
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